Isabel Wentzel, Manager Wildlife Protection Unit for the NSPCA has responded to the shocking UK volunteer account released by Blood Lions, detailing the volunteer’s stay at a Kroonstad predator breeding facility in the Free State, best described as a “horror with little to no conservation value”.
The volunteer, known only as Dee, claims to have witnessed a number of questionable practices, including poor upkeep of a sickly cheetah, enclosures that house different species resulting in fatal fights as well as alleged trade in animal bones and administering of medication by unqualified individuals during her stay.
According to Volunteers of Africa Beware Facebook page, a platform, which Wentzel says takes the time to list the good and the bad organisations in order to warn new volunteers, it is alleged that the farm in question is Boskoppie Lion and Tiger Reserve in Kroonstad in the Free State.
Traveller24 has contacted Boskoppie but has yet to receive a response.
Wentzel confirmed the NSPCA, responsible for monitoring facilities such as this across the country, conducts pro-active as well as reactive inspections since it relies on the public and people visiting and working at these facilities to “inform them of any problems”.
Wentzel admits it is often difficult to legislate ethics as South Africa’s written laws do not make provision for prosecution on these grounds.
Legal recourse?
SA’s laws allow trophy hunting to take place, when the proper permits have been issued and under specific conditions, with the US being the biggest market for trophy hunting locally. The issue around existing legislation is that canned lion hunting has little or no conservation value, when it comes to threatened wildlife species and is often done under questionable practices. CITESlegislation, however, does allow for the hunting and transportation of hunting trophies under certain conditions in South Africa.
In the case of questionable living and breeding conditions that appear to be in contravention of the Animals Protection Act (APA), 71 of 1962, this can be prosecuted in a court of law.
“With the charges, the request for an order of denial of ownership of specific or all animals are included but not necessarily granted by the magistrate upon conviction,” says Wentzel.
Added to this, all the animals can be removed during a seizure under warrant, as a result of the conditions the animals are confined to or the physical conditions of the animals.
Should a facility be shut down under the NSPCA’s mandate by order of the court, “then a fine and/or prison sentence between 3 years/R60 000 or 15 years/R300 000 becomes applicable,” explains Wentzel.
It then rests with the NSPCA to get an order of denial of ownership after conviction as nothing stops such a person from acquiring animals again, unless ownership is denied,” says Wentzel.
“It is thus not as easy to just close a facility as most people imagine.”
“Under Nature Conservation legislation they can retract a permit if the facility is in contravention of their permit conditions or found to be guilty of illegal activities under the Conservation legislation.”
Retracting a permit, can ultimately be appealed but once issued, the facility would then not be able to operate.
Wentzel stressed that issues surrounding the use of scheduled drugs and tranquilisers must be reported to the South African Veterinary Association.
During her stay at the Kroonstad facility, Dee says she “never once saw a vet visit to tend to any of the big cats, also alleging that any darting of the big cats was done by unqualified volunteers, saying “to my knowledge he was not a qualified Vet”.
“Access to scheduled drugs can only be through veterinarians, thus making the veterinarian as guilty as the unauthorised user,” Wentzel says.
What to do:
Wentzel advises volunteers who often find themselves at places following “false” advertising to report animal cruelty and abuse directly to the NSPCA. She also said doing research thoroughly and getting involved with organisations such as ‘Volunteers of Africa Beware’ would help them make better, more informed choices.
“Any allegations of cruelty and abuse of animals can be reported directly to the NSPCA. We have dedicated units who conduct inspections and investigate cases and can also call on SPCA branches to assist if needed,” says Wentzel.
NSPCA contact details:
Email: nspca@nspca.co.za
Tel: 011 907 3590
Web: www.nspca.co.za